Broun Resigns; Search for New Festival Director begins

 Australia’s own Short+Sweet, the “biggest little play festival in the world” is set to chart a fresh new course. Following the announcement that long time festival director Alex Broun is to step down from the helm of Short+Sweet Sydney, the company is now searching for a new director of its Sydney festival.

 Australia’s own Short+Sweet, the “biggest little play festival in the world” is set to chart a fresh new course. Following the announcement that long time festival director Alex Broun (pictured) is to step down from the helm of Short+Sweet Sydney, the company is now searching for a new director of its Sydney festival. Alex Broun’s association with Short+Sweet includes directing the last three highly successful Sydney festivals, and as well as running others in Melbourne, Brisbane, Rockhampton, Auckland, Singapore and last year’s first ever Short+Sweet Delhi in India.

According to Mark Cleary, Short+Sweet’s Artistic and Executive Director, Broun has been a driving force behind the company and responsible for introducing innovations including the time limit, awards, public voting and the developmental Wildcards program.

“Alex has also been a powerful advocate for artists and new writing and has left the Sydney festival on a very solid footing,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming a new Festival Director and the next exciting chapter in the continuing success of Short+Sweet Sydney.” Short+Sweet began in Sydney at the Newtown Theatre in 2002 and has since become the biggest festival for 10-minute theatre works in the world. Over the last 10 years, the festival has grown to include Short Sweet+Dance, Short Sweet+Song, Short Sweet+Cabaret and a new under 18s section called Fast+Fresh. 

“It’s been wonderful to be part of [Short+Sweet’s] ongoing growth over the last decade,” said Broun – who is currently in India running Short+Sweet writing workshops in Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. “Our 2011 Sydney festival was one of most successful festivals ever so it’s wonderful to go out on a high.” Broun will continue to run writing workshops and help develop the festivals in Australia and overseas while working closely with the new Festival Director to assure a smooth transition.
For more information on the role of Festival Director of Short+Sweet Sydney contact: General Manager of Short+Sweet, Fiona Beattie Email: Fiona@shortandsweet.org   Or visit www.shortandsweet.org/employment